The Education Ministry has halted funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to Delhi, West Bengal, and Punjab after the opposition-ruled states refused to participate in the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme. The states alleged that they have not received the funds for the current financial year’s April-June quarter.

The states have to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Education Ministry to confirm their participation in the scheme. Delhi, West Bengal, and Punjab have refused to sign, citing that the states are yet to receive the third and fourth installments of SSA funds for the October–December 2023 and January-March periods. They also claimed that funds for the current FY’s April-June quarter have not been sent.

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In total, Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal await Rs 330 crore, Rs 515 crore, and Rs 1,000 crore, respectively.

When asked by the state governments about the delay in pending funds, the Education Ministry did not respond, as stated in a report by the Indian Express. The education departments of the three states have written to the central government regarding the release of the pending funds under the scheme.

Reacting to the same, Congress leader Pawan Khera slammed the Centre for withholding crucial funds for “political gains.” Taking to X, Khera questioned the central government for “forcing” the states to “rebrand this PM-SHRI School.”

“Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal are being punished for not bowing to the Centre’s PM-SHRI scheme. Is this democracy or dictatorship?” he asked. Highlighting the lack of response from the PM Modi-led government on the issue, Khera emphasised the suffering of teachers and staff in the three states whose salaries remain unpaid.

“The NEP 2020 was aimed to promote educational excellence, but the Centre’s actions are pushing states backwards. This is not about improving education, it’s about control and coercion,” Khera stated.

BJP government has stopped funds for the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to opposition-ruled states. Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal are being punished for not bowing to the Centre’s PM-SHRI scheme. Is this democracy or dictatorship?

▪️Delhi is waiting for ₹330 crore, Punjab for ₹515… pic.twitter.com/2pW08ZW8dY

— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) July 17, 2024

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What Is The PM-SHRI Scheme?

With a budget of more than Rs 27,000 crore for the next five years, the SSA supports the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. Under the PM-SHRI scheme, the Modi government and states will shoulder 60 and 40 percent of the financial burden, respectively.

Nearly 14,500 government schools are expected to be upgraded into “exemplar” institutions to show the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by the Centre.